Extended Essay
Westlake Academy
The extended essay is an in-depth study of a focused topic chosen from the list of approved Diploma Programme subjects"normally one of the student’s six chosen subjects for the IB diploma. It is intended to promote high-level research and writing skills, intellectual discovery and creativity. It provides students with an opportunity to engage in personal research in a topic of their own choice, under the guidance of a supervisor (a teacher in the school).
This leads to a major piece of formally presented, structured writing, in which ideas and findings are communicated in a reasoned and coherent manner, appropriate to the subject chosen. It is recommended that completion of the written essay is followed by a short, concluding interview, or viva voce, with the supervisor.
The extended essay is assessed against common criteria, interpreted in ways appropriate to each subject.
The extended essay is:
- compulsory for all Diploma Programme students externally assessed and, in combination with the grade for theory of knowledge, contributes up to three points to the total score for the IB diploma a piece of independent.
- research/investigation on a topic chosen by the student in cooperation with a supervisor in the school chosen from the list of approved Diploma Programme subjects, published in the Vade Mecum.
- presented as a formal piece of scholarship containing no more than 4,000 words the result of approximately 40 hours of work by the student concluded with a short interview, or viva voce, with the supervising teacher (recommended).